The Other Top Rookies You Should Know

SPECIAL THANKS TO BRYAN THIEL (@BryanThiel_88)

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By now you’ve heard all about Max Domi leading the rookie-scoring race, or about how Daniel Altshuller’s first season between OHL pipes is going, and that Aaron Ekblad has the poise of a young Alex Pietrangelo, despite being just 15.

Michael Clarke has shot up draft boards in his first season with the Windsor Spitfires, Olli Maatta is gaining valuable experience on a North American blueline, and Jordan Subban joined brother Malcolm in Belleville for his first year in the league.

These are some of the rookies in the Ontario Hockey League that have been making waves, and in the process the performance of other rookies and their talents have flown under the radar. So a month and a half into the season who else should you know from the OHL’s first-year class? Here are five names to keep tabs on:

1. Nick Ritchie, Left Wing, Peterborough Petes

If it weren’t for Aaron Ekblad’s Exceptional Player Status, Ritchie would have been considered amongst the candidates to be the first overall pick in the 2011 OHL Priority Selection. When you take that into consideration, it makes him a bit of a surprise to make this list.. Coming off of a final season in Midget that saw him net 50 goals and 96 points, Ritchie brought his size and speed (6’2”, 207lbs) to the Peterborough Petes. Ritchie has shown all of the promise that would have made him a first overall pick, and his quick release is a pleasant addition to such a big, talented package. With all of the attention paid to Matt Puempel when teams play the Petes, expect the totals for Ritchie to steadily increase as he grows accustomed to the OHL.

GP: 13 G: 4 A: 3 PTS: 7 PPG: 2

2. Darnell Nurse, Defense, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds

His former teammate with Don Mills (Max Domi) is getting all of the headlines this season, but that’s just fine with Darnell Nurse. The big defenseman who’s earned comparisons to Chris Pronger may not be in a media hot bed, he’s settled in perfectly with the Greyhounds, making a lot of comparisons to Sault Ste. Marie and his hometown of Hamilton. A kid of few words, Nurse lets his physical play do the talking, and doesn’t lack confidence in his game or in himself. He’s got the athletic background in both his immediate family and extended family to vault over any obstacle in his way, and when the media does come calling, Nurse already handles it like a pro. He feels right at home with the Greyhounds in the Soo, and with a big defense to learn the ropes from, he’ll be a rock in this league.

GP: 13 G: 0 A: 1 PTS 1 +/-: -8

3. Josh Anderson/Bo Horvat, Forwards, London Knights

We’ve established that Domi and Mattaa generate a lot of interest in London, but it’s two players that took very different paths to the OHL that will hopefully provide London with the secondary scoring they’ll need for multiple Western Conference Championships. Who knows? Maybe even a league Championship some year. Horvat was London’s first round pick this year, selected one spot after Kingston took Domi. He’s a quick skater who racked up the points (118 of them) in his draft year. Anderson was overlooked in his draft season, but thanks to a growth spurt of more than a few inches and 30lbs, mixed in with a strong season in Major-Midget in Burlington, Anderson turned heads as a power forward with the size needed to succeed in the OHL. One’s a high-profile first-round pick, and the other is the age-old story of a player who stuck with it and caught a few breaks in the face of adversity. Both however, could become well-known names on a strong Knights team.

Horvat: GP: 14 G: 5 A: 6 PTS: 11 +/-: +13

Anderson: GP 13 G: 3 A: 4 PTS: 7 GWG: 1

4. Artur Gavrus, Centre, Owen Sound Attack

The Owen Sound Attack are the reigning OHL Champions, and like most champions of the past, more than a handful of their key pieces graduated to the professional ranks. So, it was with the 55^th pick in the CHL Import Draft that Owen Sound selected the highly skilled but diminutive Belarussian forward. He’s viewed more as a well-rounded player, but his production in second-tier European leagues and at the U-18 tournament (where he was one of the top players) shows a high-end ability to finish off plays. The typical ups-and-downs of a first North American/draft eligible season are expected, but Gavrus has the talent to help Owen Sound’s offense maintain a truly competitive level.

GP: 13 G: 5 A: 6 PTS 11 PPG: 2

5. Patrik Machac, Centre, Brampton Battalion

Brampton has been starved for offense the last two seasons, and the thinking is that Import Patrik Machac can change that. Machac is a pure scorer with speed and great hockey sense, and excels in all the right areas of the game. His skills caught the eye of Stan Butler and the Battalion, who believe that he’s a player who can improve their offense. He’s got the track record to prove that he can too, after dominating the Czech U-18 league last year with 53 points in 36 games and playing at a point-per-game average at the U-17s. With just two 40-point players last year (and only Ian Watters returning), Machac could easily lead the Battalion in scoring, while bringing the numbers of a few others along for the ride.

GP: 12 G: 4 A: 7 PTS: 11 PPG/SHG: 2/2

Interview with Peterborough Petes, Nicholas Ritchie

With an offensive showing at the OHL Showcase Cup it was still not enough for Nicholas Ritchie to be selected first overall in this year's OHL Priority Draft. But that doesn’t matter to the younger brother of Brett Ritchie, forward of the Sarnia Sting. Like many players it is an honour to be selected and have the opportunity to fight for playing time in the OHL. Nicholas has already signed his OHL contract with the Peterborough Petes who selected him 2^nd overall and will take to the ice in a few short weeks for not only the exhibition but the 2011/12 OHL regular season in hopes of helping the Peterborough Petes get right back on track.

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Nick firstly, thank you for taking the time for this interview. It isn't until the OHL Showcase Cup when players of your caliber really begin to shine. You get noticed at the tournament and the proverbial light shines brighter on you as the tournament progresses. Did you at all get spooked at the types of crowds that the Toronto Marlboros were
getting for the round robin and playoff games of the OHL Showcase Cup?

Yes there was a fair amount of people at our play-offs/OHL Cup games, but I was never got spooked by the size of the crowds because that is what I was expecting.

What about the type of people in the stands. With my naked eye you can spot all 20 OHL General Managers, Scouts and Players, NHL Management and Scouts and the infamous Don Cherry was there to not only watch you but your team as well. Did you or your teammates happen to catch these people in the stands and were there times when
teammates had to be say, 'calmed down' because of these eyeballs watching?

We definitely saw and new that these people were in the stands. Our team never worried about who was in the stands, and we just played hard and had fun.

The Marlboros win the OHL Showcase Cup; I have talked to your Goaltender Alex Fotinos and Jordan Subban about raising the Championship at the end of the weeklong tournament. Other than the actual Championship victory, what was a memorable moment for you that you know will stay with you over the course of the next few years?

Our entire Minor Midget team had a remarkable year. We were very a close-knit team with great team balance and coaching. I will remember our team accomplishments and all of the enjoyment we had for the next few years.

Taken by the Peterborough Petes number 2 overall. A lot of pressure gets put on those shoulders as the team is clearly looking to move upwards from last season. The Team is rolling over their lineup and you are a hard-nosed player who isn't afraid of much. Is there any type of fear that you must change your game, or learn something completely new that may take away from your natural ability on the ice?

I know that your first year in the OHL can be a challenge. My attitude going into training camp is to work as hard as I possibly can, and try to improve my game every day. I have never felt fear in any sport that I have played.
Obviously when people here the name Ritchie they instantly think of your brother Brett as he is fresh on the brain as a result of him being selected by the Dallas Stars. Since he is older he must have taught you something that has helped you get to where you are now.
What has been his biggest contribution to you growing as a person and a player?

Yes, my brother had been huge asset in my success in hockey. Brett is only two years older than me, and when we were younger I always played against him in anything we did. Playing against my older brother made it very difficult to beat him. The biggest contribution for me as a person and a player had been my brother and also my mother and father. My family has helped me and supported in anything I do.

There are 2 dates on the calendar have been circled in the Ritchie household I am sure. December 1st and December 11th. I am sure it is going to be the battle of every Ritchie for himself but what do you expect when you think about playing your brother?

I expect in these games to have a little bit of a weird feeling. I have never played against my brother in a real game before. It will be a very interesting and a fun two games that I am look forward to.

10 days separate those 2 games and then two weeks later it is Christmas? Even if the worse happens in the game do you think you could still sit next to your brother and sing Christmas carols or will the 'war' continue through the holiday season on say... NHL12?

Yes, I will definitely be able to sit beside my brother and sing carols after the games are completed. I am sure he will challenge me and I will challenge him. We are very close brothers that will be able to drop something that happened on the ice.

And lets end it on this Nick, Petes recently acquired Andrew Yogan, Alan Quine is returning, Slater Koekkoek is a stud on the blueline. Is there a Petes' player or two that you can’t wait to get on the ice with to make some 'magic' happen?

There are several very good players returning. I am looking forward to be able to play and learn from these players. I hope as a team we can all make magic.

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Nicholas Ritchie, like many of the players interviewed through out the summer is on his personal mission to not only make his OHL team, but also be a dominant rookie on the team, and following the heels of Slater Koekkoek and Matt Puempel. The ‘rookie’ bar has been set very high for young Nick Ritchie. But if his showing at the OHL Showcase Cup is any indication, this 6’02” 210 pound 16 year old will be taking the league by storm this year.